The Azov steel factory had become a symbol of the resistance in Mariupol. Ukrainian fighters had been holed up there for weeks. But now they have given up their fight “to save lives,” the nationalist Azov battalion said on Telegram. But what happens to the men who have fallen into Russian captivity?
About 600 fighters are said to have persevered in the steel mill. According to the Ukrainian government, 211 were taken to the city of Olenivka, in the Donetsk region controlled by pro-Russian separatists. Deputy Defense Minister Anna Maljar said 53 wounded soldiers have been taken to a hospital in the Russian-controlled city of Novoazovsk.
A possible exchange of prisoners with Russia is planned for all evacuees. The Russian-backed separatists said 256 fighters from the steel mill had “surrendered”. 51 of them were injured.
Doom chief: ‘You have to take them to court’
However, the Russian parliament is considering exempting fighters of the Azov regiment from a prisoner swap. “Nazi criminals are not subject to exchange. These are war criminals and we must do everything we can to bring them to justice,” Duma chief Vyacheslav Volodin said in a plenary session on Tuesday.
Some of the last remaining Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol belong to the Azov regiment. In Moscow, Azov, in fact founded by far-right Ukrainians, is repeatedly used as a justification for the war against Ukraine, which is aimed, among other things, at the alleged “denazification” of the neighboring country. However, experts consider the claim that the entire Ukrainian military is dominated by “Nazis” an untenable pretext.
Russian negotiator: ‘Azov militants have no right to life’
A Russian negotiator emphasized that Azov regimental fighters had no right to life at all. Russia should consider the death penalty for these nationalist fighters, says Leonid Slutski, who represents Russia with the Ukraine negotiated. “They don’t deserve to live with the monstrous human rights crimes they have committed and continue to commit against our prisoners.”
In the past, the volunteer units in eastern Ukraine have been repeatedly accused of war crimes. Human rights groups had also made similar allegations.
According to statements from the Russian presidential office, fighters from the steel mill are treated in accordance with international standards. Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised that, says spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Volodin stressed that Russia is doing everything it can to provide medical care and humane treatment to injured Ukrainian prisoners.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
